Crundwell in Court Arraigned on New Charges

DIXON - Rita Crundwell appeared before a judge for the first time in the city she allegedly robbed blind.  The former Dixon comptroller is facing new charges in Lee County.  The indictments on these new charges came back in September after the city of Dixon sought more jail time for the city's former comptroller.  She faces one fraud count at the federal level and now 60 new counts from the state in connection to her stealing nearly $53 million from Dixon over the last two decades. 

Judge Ronald Jacobson did not have to read all 60 felony theft counts against Crundwell; she waived her right to have those read to her.  Crundwell plead, "not guilty," to all charges on Wednesday.

Wednesday was the first time many in town say they've seen Crundwell in Dixon. 

"She looks very sad and dejected looking," said Dixon Mayor James Burke.

Burke says he believes Crundwell's been residing with her boyfriend at his residence in Beloit, Wisconsin.  He says he believes a judge has allowed her to cross state lines for that purpose.  Burke says these new charges will help ensure justice for the city of Dixon.

"That's why we went to the State's Attorney; we want to make sure that she's incarcerated for a long time," said Burke.

"As tragic as it is when you think about the amount of money and the amount heartache that she's caused this community and everybody in it, she should pay for that."

Crundwell left the courthouse through the front of the building, meeting a barrage of reporters asking if she wanted to say anything in her defense.  She made no comment as she was escorted to her car by her new attorney, Bob Thompson, the Lee County public defender assigned to Crundwell.  Mayor Burke lamented, what would the person who stole so much from a community so little really have to say.

"Obviously there couldn't have been any conscience going on when she was doing that. So if a person is without conscience, she probably can't be feeling too guilty," said Burke.

Crundwell's next court appearance is set for December 19^th at 1:30 PM at the Lee County Courthouse.  She's due back in court in federal court in Rockford on her fraud charges in mid-November.